Kohaut, Karl

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Kohaut, Karl

Kohaut, Karl, notable Austrian lutenist and composer; b. Vienna (baptized), Aug. 26, 1726; d. there, Aug. 6, 1784. He was a student of Gottfried von Swieten. In 1758 he entered the Austrian civil service, and eventually rose to the position of secretary of the imperial chancery. He also pursued a distinguished career as a lute virtuoso. His lute concertos are remarkable examples of effective writing for the instrument.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire